Official Massage Therapy Partner Readying for Country’s Largest Fundraising Bike Ride on April 12-13, 2014

By Massage Envy Spa®

HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Massage Envy Spa Houston staff are already flexing their fingers and hands to warm up for the 2014 BP MS 150 bike ride on Saturday and Sunday, April 12-13, 2014. Massage Envy Spa, the nation’s leading provider of massage therapy in the U.S., is participating in the annual event for the seventh year – the sixth as a sponsor, and will again be offering professional massage sessions for riders.

The BP MS 150 begins in Houston and finishes in downtown Austin in front of the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum near the State Capitol. Cyclists stay overnight in LaGrange at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.

In LaGrange, event organizers recommend that participants take advantage of the 86 licensed professional massage therapists that will be provided by the 30 Houston Massge Envy Spas. They will be offering massages between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall at the back of the fairgrounds.

The last massage session will begin at 6 p.m. The cost is $1 per minute and massages are offered on a first come, first served basis. Massage services are cash only; an ATM will be available.

Houston Massage Envy Spas will also station additional licensed professional massage therapists in select corporate tents around the fairgrounds, providing massages to ease discomforts from Saturday’s ride and preparing the cyclists for Sunday.

Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.1 million people worldwide.

“The BP MS 150 website notes that ‘multiple sclerosis stops people from moving’. It is part of our mission to help sufferers achieve the best range of motion and relief from pain that is possible for them,’” says Lance O’Pry, Houston regional developer for Massage Envy Spa. “Massage Envy Spa Houston employees are very proud to be a part of this effort by helping the riders who are raising the funds. Funds raised by the bike rides go toward medical research and providing services to people with MS – services that increase independence.”

O’Pry adds, “To show our appreciation, every rider who brings their bib into one of our 30 Houston Massage Envy Spas will receive a complimentary Deep Muscle Therapy enhancement through April 30, 2014.”

This is the 30th year for the MS 150 in Houston, and the 14th presented by BP. Not only is it the largest fundraising bike ride in the country, it is also the top fundraising ride for the National MS Society with more than $175 million raised to fund research and projects since the first MS 150 in Houston in 1985. The ride again broke records in 2013, raising more than $18.1 million. In 2014, the fundraising goal for the BP MS 150 is $18.5 million.

Organized by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, MS 150 bike rides are held around the country to raise funds to fight multiple sclerosis (MS) and generate awareness about a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. The BP MS 150 is expecting 13,000 participants for the two-day, 180-mile bike ride from Houston to Austin.

In addition to its support for people who suffer from MS and other debilitating diseases, Massage Envy Spa can also help both professional and weekend athletes improve their performance, recover faster after exerting themselves and simply enjoy their sports more. The focus of sports massage is on areas of the body that are over or underused and stressed from repetitive, and sometimes unfamiliar, movements.

More and more athletes are including sports massage therapy as part of a balanced training regimen. Sports massage can not only reduce recovery time during training or after an event, but it can help an athlete prepare for the activity. The benefits of specially designed sports massage are many: it promotes flexibility, reduces fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries, and prepares the body and mind for optimal performance.

At Massage Envy Spa, an introductory, one-hour massage session (a 50-minute massage and time for consultation and dressing) is just $49.99 and a one-hour Healthy Skin facial session is $59.99. Memberships are available for $59.99 per month and include a one-hour massage session. Members can enjoy unlimited additional one-hour massage sessions at the $39.99 member rate or a one-hour Healthy Skin facial session for $49.99.

Log on to Massage Envy Spa Houston to find the nearest Massage Envy Spa. All spas are open seven days a week.

About Massage Envy Spa®
Massage Envy Spa, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a national franchisor, and through its franchised locations, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage in the United States. The national franchise is dedicated to providing professional and affordable therapeutic massage and spa services to members and guests with busy lifestyles at convenient times and locations. Founded in 2002, Massage Envy Spa has more than 950 franchise locations in 48 states and 1.45 million members. In addition, the average unit volume for a franchise location is $1.3 million. Through its national partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, Massage Envy Spa has raised more than $2 million in three, one-day Healing Hands for Arthritis events. The company was recently ranked #88 in Franchise Time’s Top 200, #54 in Entrepreneur's 2013 Franchise 500 and #29 in its Fastest Growing Franchise rankings. Massage Envy Spa is a member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) and was named a 2013 Military Friendly Franchise. For more information, visit MassageEnvy.com. Follow Massage Envy Spa Houston on Facebook - www.facebook.com/MassageEnvyHouston and Twitter - www.twitter.com/MassageEnvyHou###